Behind him, Ray heard the infuriated howls of the wolf and he ran as if his life depended on it.

It’s getting closer.

A scream locked in Ray’s throat. Adrenaline pumped through his bloodstream. Heart pounding, his breath sounded like thunder in his ears.

Please God, don’t let me trip.

The thud of heavy paws on the forest floor told Ray that the beast wasn’t far behind.

I’ll never outrun him on two legs.

Ray had no idea if he could shift again. He’d only done it once before and he’d been suppressing his wolf ever since. But he had to try. He conjured up an image of himself in fangs and fur. Nothing. Then he remembered. The power was in the words.

In this world, words were capable of changing everything. Ray repeated them again and again, until they became a mantra in his mind.

Homo homini lupus.Homo homini lupus.Homo homini lupus.

Ray’s muscles burned, but he kept running. Sweat broke out on his brow, blinding him, but he refused to stop. His spine bent in midstride and he went to all fours.

Homo homini lupus. Homo homini lupus.Homo homini lupus.

The tattered remains of Ray’s clothes fell away. Fingernails turned to claws. A black pelt covered his body and a tail waved behind him. Howling, Ray shook off the last of his human features. Terrified of the monster behind him, Ray tucked his tail between his legs and ran with his head low and his ears laid back. But, even in this fearful state, Ray gloried in the strength and freedom of his lupine body. He moved faster on four paws, but the brown wolf chasing him was faster still.